Jordan stops show he can be No.1 Pick
ENGLAND ........ 0 GERMANY ....... 0
JORDAN PICKFORD shut the door on the world champions in a debut to remember.
The Everton keeper’s performance helped to remove doubts about England’s depth as Gareth Southgate’s young Lions side kept Germany at bay.
Pickford sparkled along with Chelsea playmaker Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Swansea striker Tammy Abraham, all making their senior bows against a team with 300 caps in the starting line-up.
Pickford staked a case for prising the No.1 jersey from Joe Hart with a confident display, saving brilliantly from Timo Werner six minutes before the break.
Despite his lack of firstteam action Loftus-Cheek provided the creativity in midfield that England have been missing.
And boss Southgate said: “We created a couple of really good chances and I felt our use of the ball was excellent throughout. There is room for improvement but I felt it was a really healthy performance.”
Three Lions skipper Eric Dier said: “Obviously against a well-oiled machine they will have periods where they control possession. But I didn’t think they hurt us.
“And we had our periods, broke well and are disappointed we haven’t scored.”
England’s youngsters defied suggestions they could be lambs to the slaughter following the rash of withdrawals.
Instead they provided evidence the England boss now has options ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Germany’s best chance came when Manchester City winger Leroy Sane hit the bar in the 20th minute with a superb curling effort from the edge of the box.
England did look rather shaky in defence but John Stones held it together with Harry Maguire struggling as he stepped up.
Jesse Lingard missed England’s best chance with the final kick when Maguire knocked down only for the Manchester United striker to blaze over from six yards.